Arsenal will meet fellow English giants Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals following the draw made here on Friday.
Four English clubs are in the final eight and Arsene Wenger's side were the first out of the hat for their first leg at home on April 1-2, with the return leg against the 2005 champions at Anfield on April 8-9.
The tie means that Arsenal and Liverpool, last season's finalists, will play each other three times in one week as the two European legs sandwich a Premier League game.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told Sky Sports: "We'd hoped to avoid the English teams at this stage but statistically there were bound to be two coming together and unfortunately it's us.
"We play Arsenal in a league game in between so we'll be playing them three times in a week."
"The three games are going to be very, very tight. I don't think the Champions League is going to be any different, it's tough."
He added: "We've successfully avoided a trip to Turkey (to face Fenerbahce) so that's a bonus."
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman for his part said: "Liverpool are a great team. They've obviously had fantastic performances in this competition and we'll play them three times in a week, so we'll get to know them pretty well.
{{/usCountry}}Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman for his part said: "Liverpool are a great team. They've obviously had fantastic performances in this competition and we'll play them three times in a week, so we'll get to know them pretty well.
{{/usCountry}}"I think it should make compelling viewing for the fans and I think they'll be very exciting matches."
Arsenal reached Champions League final in 2006, losing to Barcelona, and Edelman said the last-16 victory over defending champions AC Milan should give them a lot of encouragement.